Page 101 of Thorn Kiss
I tipped my head back, cracking my eyes open to look up at the sky. Stars glimmered above, winking in promise of a good hunt.
I could hear and see everything out here. There was no light pollution, just the wilderness of the desert, the Davis Mountains in the distance glinting beneath a half moon.
The timer went off. My heart lurched in my chest as I turned it off and slid my phone in my pocket, immediately turning toward the direction she’d run in.
But, I didn’t see her.
I smiled.
June was smart. She was fast. I knew she would push me and attempt to thwart me, and she was competitive enough to do exactly that.
I did a quick 360, surveying everything around me. Cacti and bushes peppered the landscape, and then I caught the glint of June’s hair.
She was hauling ass.
A low growl left me. One more deep breath.
Then I sprang.
I launched into a steady run, my muscles settling into the familiarity of it. My thoughts were laser focused on covering as much ground as I possibly could, blood coursing through my veins.
All the things I wanted to do to her flooded my mind and I sprinted faster. I needed her like my lungs needed air.
Running came easy. Especially given that I ran every single day. I didn't sprint like this every day, but it didn't matter. The adrenaline was fueling me forward.
June made the mistake of glancing behind her and yelped, followed by a laugh. She stumbled slightly but then recovered, putting all her energy into runningfaster.
She was quick. She'd always been able to move with a grace that I envied. Even so, I was closing it on her. Like a wolf closing in on its prey, the hungry part of me ready to strike.
So fucking close.
I could hear her breaths now. Her panting. The beautiful sounds that she'd be making for me soon. My lungs burned as I pushed further, reaching out.
She suddenly dodged left. I cursed under my breath, managing to grab one of her wrists.
The two of us tumbled to the ground. I did my best to soften her impact, although she didn't let the fall slow her from pulling away from me. I grunted as she hit my chest hard, bringing her knee up.
“I don't fucking think so,” I growled, pinning her down.
She bucked against me as I turned her over onto her stomach, grabbing hold of her wrists and slamming them above her head. She immediately pushed her ass back against my cock.Fuck.Pleasure shot through me, distracted me enough that I loosened my grip.
June managed to slide out from beneath me and jumped to her feet.
“Nope,” I growled.
My hand shot out and I grabbed her ankle.
She cursed as she tumbled to the ground again. Worry shot through me as she landed with a hard thud, but then her laugh trickled from her pretty lips.
“Fuck you, Dallas,” she hissed, kicking at me.
A dark chuckle left me as I dragged her back, hauling her beneath me. I leaned down, my face hovering right over hers. “Caught you, junebug.”
Her expression turned murderous. She shoved at me as I pulled her knees apart.
“I bet you’re already wet for me, aren’t you?” I crooned.
“N-no,” she said, but her voice faltered.
